Blister card with snap-hold panel

ABSTRACT

A package is disclosed which includes first panel and second panel connected together, a first blister attached to the first panel and a second blister attached to the second panel, where a protrusion from the first blister engages the second blister to hold the panels in a fixed relationship with one another.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/025311, filed on Jul. 16,2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure is directed to blister card packages and, moreparticularly, to blister packages with a first panel holding the blisterand a second panel hingedly attached to the first, the second panel heldin position by a snap-hold connection to the blister.

Manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods, such as pharmaceuticals,software, electronics, health and beauty products and the like,typically package their products in various types of display packages.For example, many consumer goods are packaged in blister or clamshellpackages formed by positioning a consumer good in a flanged blister madefrom various polymeric and/or paperboard materials and sealing theflanged blister between two paperboard substrates. Packages may be madebased largely on paperboard, for example, NATRALOCK packages made byMeadWestvaco Corporation. Packaging made primarily of paperboard is moresustainable than packaging made from petroleum-based plastics. Thepaperboard used in such packages may be tear-resistant as described incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,635.

The panel holding a blister may be a planar or flat construction.Although such a package can hang from a display hook, it may not be ableto stand upright on a shelf.

Unless placed in some sort of box or base. A package with an additionalpanel besides the first panel may be arranged to stand on the loweredges of the two or more panels.

It would be advantageous to have such a package with a feature to holdthe two panels in fixed relationship to one another.

SUMMARY

In one aspect a package is disclosed which includes a first panel and asecond panel connected to the first panel, a first blister attached tothe first panel with a protrusion extending outward from the firstblister, a second blister attached to the second panel with a receptacleportion in the second blister sized to receive the protrusion, whereinthe first and second panels may be held in proximity to one another bythe protrusion being received into the receptacle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of certain parts of a blister package;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are plan views of the parts, placed in relation toone another in an exemplary step of assembly;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the assembled package still in aflattened or “open” configuration, seen from an inside viewpoint;

FIG. 3B is a cross section of the open package of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross section detail view of a modified portion of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the package in a partially closedconfiguration, seen from an inside viewpoint;

FIG. 4B is a cross section of the partially closed package of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the package in a closed configuration,seen from the back;

FIG. 5B is a cross section of the closed package of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of another package in a flattened or“open” configuration, seen from an inside viewpoint;

FIG. 6B is a cross section of the package of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another package in a flattened or“open” configuration, seen from an inside viewpoint;

FIG. 7B is a cross section of the package of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a cross section of the package of FIG. 7B in a nearly closedconfiguration.

FIG. 8A repeats the perspective view of the package of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8B repeats the cross section view of FIG. 7B, showing also a secondpackage in proximity;

FIG. 8C is a cross section of the two packages of FIG. 8B connectedtogether;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of certain parts of another blister package;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the assembled package of FIG. 9, stillin a flattened or expanded configuration, seen from an inside viewpoint;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the package in a more compactconfiguration,

FIG. 11 is a plan view of certain parts of yet another blister package;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the assembled package of FIG. 11,still in a flattened or expanded configuration, seen from an insideviewpoint; and

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the package in a more compactconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As various embodiments of the package are described, reference will bemade to FIGS. 1-12. Certain parts of the packages are denoted byreference numerals. Where there is more than one of the same feature,generally only one will be denoted by a reference numeral. Typically inthese Figures, where a front plan view is shown for a blank of material,solid lines usually indicate periphery or cuts, and dashed lines usuallyindicate crease, score, or fold lines. In perspective views, solid linestypically show edges or folds, while dashed lines typically show hiddenor partially obscured features. Where assembly steps are described,these steps are exemplary and are not to be limiting as to the sequenceof operations used to arrive at the final package. Also, directions suchas up, down, top, bottom, front, back, etc. are used for convenience indescribing the package and are not meant to be limiting. The packagesdescribed here may be made from one blank (that is, the cut sheet partsfrom which the package components are made by folding and other steps)or from more than one blank. The word “card” or “panel” will often beused to describe a piece of sheet material such as paperboard,particularly with respect to a blank from which the package is made.Since panels are sometimes superimposed, for example, creating atwo-layer or multi-layer structure, like features or panels willsometime coincide, in which cases, descriptions may call out the numberidentifying the feature closer to the viewer, that is, the featurevisible in a particular Figure.

FIGS. 1-5 show a package formed from two blanks and two blisterportions.

FIG. 1 shows the separate parts. A first, outer blank 100 includes afront panel 110 joined along fold line 115 to a spine panel 120, whichin turned is joined along fold line 125 to back panel 130. In someinstances, spine panel 120 may be omitted and the front panel 110directly hingedly connected to back panel 130 along a fold line.

A second, inner blank 200 includes an inner front panel 210 joined alongfold line 215 to an inner spine panel 220, which in turned is joinedalong fold line 225 to inner back panel 230.

A major blister 300 may be sealed between the outer front panel 110 andthe inner front panel 210. The blister body 310 may protrude inwardlythrough aperture 212 in inner front panel 210. The blister flange 312may be sandwiched between the outer front panel 110 and the inner frontpanel 210. The blister 300 may have a protrusion 320 from its inwardsurface as will be described further. Optionally a view window 112 maybe provided in outer front panel 110.

A minor blister 350 may be sealed between the outer back panel 130 andthe inner back panel 230. The blister body 360 may be shaped and sizedto engage protrusion 320, and may protrude outwardly through aperture232 in inner back panel 230, and optionally may protrude outwardlythrough optional aperture 132 in outer back panel 130. The blisterflange 362 may be sandwiched between the outer back panel 130 and theinner back panel 230.

Hang holes 118, 218 optionally may be provided in outer front panel 110and inner front panel 210 respectively. Alternatively or in addition,hang holes 138, 238 may be provided in outer back panel 130 and innerback panel 230 respectively.

Optional medial relief cutouts 216, 226 may be provided in the centerportion of fold lines 215, 225 respectively of the inner blank 200, inorder to facilitate folding along these lines. Optional terminal reliefcutouts 217, 227 likewise may be provided at the ends of fold lines 215,225 respectively.

FIG. 1 may be considered as showing the panels and blisters from the‘inside’ of the package. Thus the ‘outward’ surfaces of the structureface away from the viewer, and the ‘inward’ surfaces face toward theviewer.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary step in assembling the package, minor blister300 is positioned upon the interior surface of outer back panel 130,with the blister body 360 protruding through aperture 132 in outer backpanel 130 while blister flange 362 rests upon the interior surface ofouter back panel 130, as it will eventually be sealed between firstblank 100 and second blank 200. FIG. 2B shows the inner front panel 210having been placed over major blister 300 so that its blister body 310protrudes upward through aperture 212 provided in inner front panel 210.The blister flange 312 remains on the other (forward) side of innerfront panel 210, so that it will eventually be sealed between firstblank 100 and second blank 200.

FIG. 3A shows the finished package formed when the inner blank 200 (withmajor blister 300 attached thereto) has been placed upon and sealed tothe outer blank 100 (with minor blister 350 attached thereto). FIG. 3Bshows a corresponding cross section view illustrating the panels and theblisters. A second, inner blank 200 includes an inner front panel 210joined along fold line 215 to an inner spine panel 220, which in turnedis joined along fold line 225 to inner back panel 230. FIG. 3C shows acorresponding cross section view illustrating a portion of thestructure, where the optional aperture 132 has been omitted. In thiscase, the blister body 360 may not protrude through outer back panel130, but the blister may instead protrude forward of inner back panel230 if desired to provide adequate engagement with protrusion 320 onmajor blister 300.

FIG. 4A shows the finished package being folded partly shut into abook-like aspect. FIG. 4B shows a corresponding cross section viewillustrating the panels and the blisters.

FIG. 5A shows the finished package having been folded completely shutinto a closed book-like aspect. FIG. 5B shows a corresponding crosssection view illustrating the panels and the blisters. It will be notedparticularly that protrusion 320 extending from major blister body 310engages the cavity or body 360 of the minor blister. The engagement maybe frictional for example by interference between the protrusion 320 andbody 360. The engagement may thus hold the package ‘closed’, while stillallowing it to be ‘opened’ and reclosed at will. In this sense ‘opened’means an expanded configuration rather than a state where the blister(s)have been breached to remove the contents.

The examples here generally show a cylindrical protrusion such asprotrusion 320, engaging a square receptor area such as a cavity,recess, hole, etc. However these particular shapes of the protrusion andreceptor are not meant to be limiting, as they may have various shapesaccording to manufacturing preference. Also the positions of theprotrusion and receptor area may sometimes be reversed. In certain casestwo or more protrusions may be used which are adapted to reversiblyengage with one another to hold the package closed.

FIG. 6A shows another finished package in many respects similar to thatshown in FIG. 3A, but having a second ‘major’ blister 330 attached tothe back portion of the package, for example with a blister peripheralflange 332 trap sealed between outer back panel 130 and inner back panel230. FIG. 6B shows a corresponding cross section view illustrating thepanels and the blisters. Such a design may be moved to a ‘closed’configuration so that the protrusion 320 extending from first majorblister 310 may engage a formed feature such as a depression 335 formedon the second major blister 330.

FIG. 7A shows another finished package in many respects similar to thatshown in FIG. 6A. In this example, the spine panels 120, 220 are omittedand the front and back panels instead join together through hinge lineor fold 115, 215, with optional relief cutouts such as 216, 217. Again asecond ‘major’ blister 330 is attached to the back portion of thepackage, for example with a blister peripheral flange 332 trap sealedbetween outer back panel 130 and inner back panel 230. FIG. 7B shows acorresponding cross section view illustrating the panels and theblisters. The protrusion 320 extending from first major blister 310 maybe moved, as shown here, as may the depression 335, to positionssuitable for engaging when the package is closed ‘shut’ to aconfiguration just beyond that shown in FIG. 7C, when protrusion 310 anddepression 335 may engage together to hold the package in a ‘closed’configuration. Similar to the previous packages, the ‘closed’configuration allows the package to stand on its lower edges.

FIG. 8A repeats the contents of FIG. 7A in perspective view. FIG. 8Bshows a corresponding cross section view illustrating the panels and theblisters 310. 330, joined to a second similar package and blisters 310′,330′ shown in FIG. 8C. Thus, while FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate anintra-package connection, FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate an inter-packageconnection. An inter-package connection may be achieved as well withother packages disclosed herein.

FIGS. 9-10 show a package formed from two blanks and a blister portion.FIG. 9 shows the separate parts. A first, outer blank 102 includes aleft panel 110 joined along fold line 115 to a center panel 120, whichin turn is joined along fold line 125 to right panel 130. A second,inner blank 202 includes an inner left panel 210 joined along fold line215 to an inner center panel 220, which in turn is joined along foldline 225 to inner right panel 230.

A blister 302 may be sealed between the outer center panel 110 and theinner center panel 210. The blister body 310 may protrude throughaperture 222 in inner center panel 220. The aperture 222 may optionallyextend substantially the entire width of inner center panel 210. Theblister body 310 may include one or more depressions 335 or openings ofany suitable size and shape to receive protrusions 320. For example thedepressions may be grooves 335 or slots that may be formed or cut in theblister. The blister flange 312 may be sandwiched between the outerpanel 110, 120, 130 and the inner panels 210, 220, 230. The blisterflange 312 may extend over fold lines 315, 325 onto left and rightsections respectively. These sections may have one or more protrusions320 of any suitable size and shape to be received into slots ordepressions 335. For example the protrusions may be bars 320 as shown inFIG. 9.

Optional relief cutouts 216, 226 may be provided in the center portionof fold lines 215, 225 respectively of the inner blank 202, in order tofacilitate folding along these lines. Optional terminal relief cutouts217, 227 likewise may be provided at the ends of fold lines 215, 225respectively.

FIG. 9 may be considered as showing the panels and blisters from the‘inside’ of the package. Thus the ‘outward’ surfaces of the structureface away from the viewer, and the ‘inward’ surfaces face toward theviewer.

To assemble the package, blister 302 may be sandwiched between the outerand inner blanks, with the blister body 310 protruding through aperture222 in inner center panel 220, and the bars 320 may protrude throughopenings 212, 232 in the inner left panel 210 and inner right panel 230respectively. The blister flange 312 may be sealed between the forwardor inner surface of the outer panels, and the rearward or inner surfaceof the inner panels. Likewise the facing surfaces of the outer panelsand inner panels may be sealed together.

FIG. 10A shows the finished package in an expanded or less compactconfiguration. FIG. 10B shows the finished package in a contracted orless compact configuration. The package may be held in thisconfiguration by protrusions 320 in the left and right blister flangesengaging slots or openings or depressions 335 in the blister body 310.This may allow for more compact shipping or provide a standingcapability for the package. The engagement of protrusions 320 and slotsor openings or depressions 335 may be frictional for example aninterference fit and may hold the package in a compact configuration,while still allowing it to be moved at will to and from a more expandedconfiguration.

Since the side portions of the blister flange may be sealed between leftpanels 110,210 and right panels 130, 230 respectively, the blister body310 (and the aperture 222 through which the blister body protrudes) mayoptionally extend substantially across the entire width of center panels120, 220. However, the blister body 310 and the aperture 222 need notnecessarily be as wide as the center panels 120, 200.

Instead of the package having two sides fold up as shown in FIG. 10B, itcould be designed with only one side folding up. Instead of using slotsor depressions on the blister body to engage protrusions on the sideportions of the flange, protrusions from the blister body could be usedto engage slots or depressions (or holes or other complementary devices)in the side panels or side portions of the flange.

The blister 302 is shown here as a single piece of material. This may bemost convenient for constructing the package, as the inter-engagingfeatures of the protrusions 320 and the depressions 335 may be preciselyspaced without needing special positioning devices. However the blister302 may also be provided in more than one part, for example as with thepackages shown in FIGS. 1-8.

It will be understood that in describing the finished package, e.g. asshown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the protrusions 320 could be considered“blisters” (e.g. similar to blisters 350, 360 shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIGS. 11-12 show another package formed from two blanks and a blisterportion. FIG. 11 shows the separate parts. A first, outer blank 104includes a bottom or back panel 110 joined along fold line 115 to aspine panel 120, which in turn is joined along fold line 125 to a top orfront panel 130. A second, inner blank 204 includes an inner bottom orback panel 210 joined along fold line 215 to an inner spine panel 220,which in turn is joined along fold line 225 to inner top or front panel230.

In the earlier FIGS. 1-8, front panels 130, 230 were substantially thesame size as the back panels 110, 210. In FIGS. 11-12, front panels 130,230 may be substantially smaller than back panels 110, 210.

A blister 304 may be sealed between the outer back panel 110 and theinner back panel 210. The blister body 310 may protrude through aperture212 in inner back panel 210. The blister body 310 may include one ormore inward depressions 335 of any suitable size and shape to receiveprotrusions 320. For example the depressions may be round or squareholes 335 that may be formed or cut in the blister. The blister flange312 may be sandwiched between the outer panels 110, 120, 130 and theinner panels 210, 220, 230. The blister flange 312 may extend over foldlines 315, 325 onto spine and front sections respectively. Thesesections may have one or more protrusions 320 of any suitable size andshape to be received into depressions 335. For example the protrusionsmay be round posts or bumps 320 shown in FIG. 11

Optional relief cutouts 216, 226 may be provided in the center portionof fold lines 215, 225 respectively of the inner blank 204, in order tofacilitate folding along these lines. Optional terminal relief cutouts217, 227 likewise may be provided at the ends of fold lines 215, 225respectively.

FIG. 11 may be considered as showing the panels and blisters from the‘inside’ of the package. Thus the ‘outward’ surfaces of the structureface away from the viewer, and the ‘inward’ surfaces face toward theviewer.

To assemble the package, blister 304 may be sandwiched between the outerand inner blanks, with the blister body 310 protruding through aperture212 in inner back panel 210, and the bars 320 may protrude throughopenings 212, 232 in the inner front panel 230. The blister flange 312may be sealed between the forward or inner surface of the outer panels,and the rearward or inner surface of the inner panels. Likewise thefacing surfaces of the outer panels and inner panels may be sealedtogether.

Since a side portion of the blister flange may be sealed between spinepanels 120,220 and/or top panels 130, 230, the blister body 310 (and theaperture 212 through which the blister body protrudes) may optionallyextend substantially to fold line 215. However, the blister body 310 andthe aperture 212 need not necessarily extend all the way to fold line215.

FIG. 12A shows the finished package in an expanded or less compactconfiguration. FIG. 12B shows the finished package in a contracted orless compact configuration, which may be considered to have a closedbook-like aspect. The package may be held in this configuration byprotrusions 320 in the blister flange engaging depressions 335 in theblister body 310. This may allow for more compact shipping or provide astanding capability for the package. The engagement of protrusions 320and depressions 335 may be frictional for example an interference fitand may hold the package ‘closed’, while still allowing it to be‘opened’ and reclosed at will.

Instead of the package having one side folding up as shown in FIG. 12B,it could be designed with two sides folding up. Instead of usingdepressions on the blister body to engage protrusions on the sideportions of the flange, protrusions from the blister body could be usedto engage slots or depressions (or other complementary devices) in thetop panel or top portion of the flange.

The blister 304 is shown here as a single piece of material. This may bemost convenient for constructing the package, as the inter-engagingfeatures of the protrusions 320 and the depressions 335 may be preciselyspaced without needing special positioning devices. However the blister304 may also be provided in more than one part, for example as with thepackages shown in FIGS. 1-8.

It will be understood that in describing the finished package, e.g. asshown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the protrusions 320 could be considered“blisters” (e.g. similar to blisters 350, 360 shown in FIGS. 1-5.

In the packages described herein, a first engaging feature such asprotrusion 320 (which may be a circular protrusion, a bar protrusion, orother shape of protrusion) may engage a second engaging feature such asdepression 335 (which may be a depression of any shape, a slit or slot,hole, or other opening, or any second engaging feature adapted toreceive the first engaging feature. Alternately the first engagingfeature may be a depression (or other receptor) adapted to receive asecond engaging feature in the form of a protrusion.

Although the packages shown here have planar or flat panels, it shouldbe understood that some or all panels may be curved, that is, may have acurved surface or surfaces. In some cases blister flange(s) attached toor between such curved panels may also be curved.

Some of the features described may be optional for some of the packages.For example view window 112 may be omitted. A view window (not shown)may be provided in the back panel or panels, whether or not a blister ofany sort is attached to the back panel or panels. Multiple blisters maybe used on either the front or back panels. Multiple engagement featuresmay be used to hold the panels in a closed orientation.

The blanks 100, 102, 104, 200, 202, 204 may be formed of a sheetmaterial such as paperboard, which may be made of or coated withmaterials to increase its strength. An example of such a sheet materialis EASYSEAL paperboard made by MeadWestvaco Corporation. The sheetmaterial may have a heat sealable coating, for example to allow a heatseal to be created between the various panels. Alternately, other formsof adhesive may be used to seal these parts together. It should be notedthat the use of tear resistant materials, and/or in more than one layer,help to improve the tamper- and theft-resistance of the package. Thepanels may be joined together by heat sealing, RF (radio frequency)sealing, ultrasonic sealing, adhesive, or other means. Such sealing maybe done on most of the facing surfaces of the front and back panels orsealing may be done to less than the entire facing surfaces, for exampleonly around the outer perimeter of the package, and along or upon partor all of blister flanges 312, 332, 362. Also, instead of using both afront and back blank, a single ply of material may be used. If a singleply is used, the blister flanges may be adhered or otherwise fastened tothe panels.

Blisters 300, 302, 304, 330, 350 may be made with common thermoformplastics such as PVC, PET, or APET but may also include a recycledmaterial such as RPET or a biodegradable material such as PLA. Howeverother materials including other plastics (or paperboard, at least forthe backing sheet) also may be used. Besides thermoforming, the blistermay be formed by injection molding or other manufacturing methods. Theblisters may be formed in one or more pieces. For example the blistersmay be formed from 0.015″ thick PET plastic.

1. A package comprising: a first panel; a second panel connected to thefirst panel; and a first blister attached to the first panel, with aprotrusion extending outward from the first blister; a second blisterattached to the second panel, with a receptacle portion; sized toreceive the protrusion; wherein the first and second panels may be heldin proximity to one another by the protrusion being received into thereceptacle portion.
 2. The package of claim 1, further comprising aspine panel between the first and second panels.
 3. The package of claim1, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panelcomprises two layers of paperboard.
 4. The package of claim 1, whereinboth of the first panel and the second panel comprise two layers ofpaperboard.
 5. The package of claim 4, wherein the first and secondblisters each comprise a peripheral flange, and the peripheral flangesarea sealed between the two layers of paperboard.
 6. The package ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second blister are formedof plastic.
 7. The package of claim 1, wherein the first and secondblister are formed from separate pieces of material.
 8. The package ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second blister are formed from a singlepiece of material.
 9. A package comprising: a first panel; a secondpanel connected to the first panel; and a first blister attached to thefirst panel, the first blister comprising a blister body with a firstengaging feature; a flange portion attached to the first blister and tothe second panel, the flange portion including a second engaging featureto receive the first engaging feature; wherein the first and secondpanels may be held in a folded shape by the first engaging feature beingengaged by the second engaging feature.
 10. The package of claim 9,wherein the first engaging feature is a depression extending into thefirst blister and the second engaging feature is a protrusion extendingfrom the flange portion.
 11. The package of claim 9, wherein at leastone of the first panel and the second panel comprises two layers ofpaperboard.
 12. The package of claim 9, wherein both of the first paneland the second panel comprise two layers of paperboard.
 13. The packageof claim 13, wherein the first blister and flange portion are formed ofplastic.
 14. The package of claim 9, wherein the first blister andflange portion are formed from a single piece of material.
 15. Thepackage of claim 9, further comprising a third panel positioned betweenthe first and second panels.
 16. The package of claim 15, wherein thesecond and third panels wrap around the blister body and are heldthereto by the first and second engaging features.
 17. The package ofclaim 16, wherein the third panel is substantially smaller than thefirst panel.
 18. The package of claim 9, wherein at least one side ofthe blister body extends substantially to an edge of the first panel.19. The package of claim 18, wherein said edge of the first panel isalong a fold line.